On Thursday, Feb 14, 2019 news started reporting that There were hundreds of text messages between Portland police and right-wing organizer Joey Gibson. These text messages reveal the extent to which law enforcement officers talked to and even coordinated with right-wing activists in order to police protests in 2017 and 2018.

Initially Ted Wheeler, Portland’s mayor, had been in bed with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) but as of late, he has been calling them out for their actions; especially over the controversial text conversations they had with Patriot Prayer organizers. Because of this, Wheeler among other elected officials are being called out by the PPB.

"As Portland Police Commissioner [Wheeler] has failed to develop an understanding of even basic police work," the union said in a statement. (Williamette Week)

Joey Gibson the leader of Proud Boys has made an announcement on his facebook and made a video on Youtube talking about Portland and their listening session this Thursday. He has also spoken in defense of Portland Police Bureau. The irony in that is Joey Gibson is the leader that had been part of the controversial text messages with PPB and was also part of the most violent protest of Portland’s history.

As Philip Wolfe shared in the interview he had with DSTidbit News, the protest on August 4, 2018 was the most violent protest of Portland’s history. The Police were attacking citizens of Portland and protecting Proud Boys even though people were not provoking either the police or Proud Boys.

2 months after the August 4th protest, the public found out that a group of proud boys were found on roof top of building with view of protest. PPB found them. They had cache of rifles! PPB told them to go and patted them on their backs for cooperating. This was never reported by PPB.

It is suspected that Ted Wheeler is trying to regain the community’s good graces by scolding PPB . Ted Wheeler has been mayor for two years and has gone against his campaign promise to demilitarize the police in Portland. He has actually done quite the opposite.

On October 12 of 2016

“There was a collective bargaining between Ted and union in secret. Public only found out a week before vote on police deal (about body cameras and the right for police to review the cameras prior to filling out and submitting their reports). Public outcry broke out. City commissioners stormed out during session, turned off the TV and locked people in. the SWAT was called. I was terrified” (Philip Wolfe)

On Thursday, Feb 21, 2019; it is expected that there will be another public outcry because of the listening session. The session was created to hear concerns and solutions from the public. "It is imperative that we come together to hear people's concerns and ideas," said Chief Danielle Outlaw. "2019 is a year for solutions. We would like for the public to have the opportunity to share with the Portland Police Bureau their ideas for how to move forward."

MAN DOWN: On Sept. 17, 2006, police, firefighters and paramedics surround an injured James Chasse in a Pearl District crosswalk. (Williamette Week)

Philip says that the reason why people were so angry about Ted Wheeler was because of the promise to demilitarize the police. This has to do with so many wrongful deaths at the hand of PPB. One horrific example is when they beat James Chasse to death (15 broken bones and still dragged him to jail. When PPB took him to jail, they refused to take him because he was in need of medical attention. “His killing outraged the city and sparked calls for police reform and improved mental health services. That also took years—and it's still not clear the reforms have produced meaningful change. Chasse's death remains a touchstone.” (Wilamette Week)

He is just one of the names on the list of people killed by the PPB.

Andre Gladen

Aaron Campbell

Terrell Johnson

Patrick Kimmons

Keaten Otis

Quanice Hayes

John Elifritz

Jason Washington

Names, Philip remembers off the top of his head but he says, “One is too many for me.” The Portland community is terrified of the police, and they are fighting back.